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About Jon
Thank You For Not ...

1) using profanity or any euphemisms for profanity
2) personally attacking other commenters
3) baiting other commenters
4) arguing for the sake of arguing
5) discussing politics
6) using hyperbole when something less will suffice
7) using sarcasm in a way that can be misinterpreted negatively
8) making the same point over and over again
9) typing "no-hitter" or "perfect game" to describe either in progress
10) being annoyed by the existence of this list
11) commenting under the obvious influence
12) claiming your opinion isn't allowed when it's just being disagreed with

Cheers
2009-02-02 16:45
by Jon Weisman

Dodger Thoughts is moving.

I'm not a big drinker, but I always wanted to be a regular at a bar. I guess you could thank Cheers for that, although I think the dream transcends a single origin. The dream of belonging, of being recognized, of being heard, being appreciated.

One summer day in 2002, with fulfilling this dream being the farthest thing from my mind, I started talking in a tiny room to almost no one in particular. Talking to myself, mainly. Over the next year, I'd see people on the street and nod a hello, sharing a conversation every few weeks or so. I started to know folks around the block.

In 2004, I moved shop to a bigger neighborhood and, in a sense, opened the doors. One by one, visitors started to make their presence known. It was a time when a handful of guests still seemed like riches, and under no illusions that we amounted to anything significant, you could feel a warmth. At the end of July that year, those of us who were there bonded over what for us was a cataclysmic event. We bonded over a mutual, natural belief in seeing the light during an uncertain time.

The following year, I joined a smaller band of shopowners in yet another neighborhood, that to me has always felt a little less urban, a little more pastoral. A colony. It wasn't that life slowed down – if anything, it became exponentially busier. But we really flourished here. It has been a fecund setting, with utterly unexpected growth. Deep, personal friendships have sprung from conversations reminiscent of a endless late-night college dorm room, reminiscent of the bar of one's dreams.

And I'm not just a regular. I'm Sam Malone. It might seem arrogant for me to write that, but believe me, it feels humbling. Because without the good grace of my customers, I'd still be the guy talking to himself in the tiny room.

Perhaps it could be like this forever. I don't know. Part of me remains curious to find out. But there's another part of me that's ambitious. The part of me that has wanted things when I could only dream about them, now has a chance to go grab one of them.

Tonight, Dodger Thoughts is moving downtown, where it will begin being hosted at this link by the Los Angeles Times. (Imminently, www.dodgerthoughts.com will direct you there as well.) The dive bar is headed for CityWalk, and I can understand where a regular might find that notion disappointing or dispiriting. Dodger Thoughts was more than words, and even more than a community. Thanks to Baseball Toaster, Dodger Thoughts was a place.

But there's also something to be excited about, because for all that we might sacrifice in intimacy, we stand to gain something very important. Blogs have come a long way in the past seven years, from being something that nearly no one had heard of, to being a dirty word, to slowly being considered part of the solution rather than part of the problem.

The Times, for all its many struggles – just this past Friday saw the piling on of more - is still the biggest stage in Los Angeles, in California, in the West, and one of the biggest in the U.S. And I am eager for Dodger Thoughts to be on that stage, to bring something positive there. (As Michael Schneider noted today at Franklin Avenue, there is still reason to be invested in the Times.)

The bottom line is that I'll be writing about the Dodgers for the Times, and though it's a different Times than when I first had that dream 25 years ago, it's still meaningful to me.

Some enjoy Dodger Thoughts just because it's about the Dodgers, and that won't change. Others enjoy Dodger Thoughts for something more, something that represents the best potential of what online conversation in the 21st century can be. The idea of introducing more people to the community of Dodger Thoughts, I think, is worth risking the sanctity of the site for.

The bar is turning pro. I hope you'll all stay regulars.

* * *

There are two main transitions for the move to the Times to make note of.

One is the potential immediate introduction of a number of new commenters, which could bring something of a culture clash. As always, I hope you will use patience and consideration toward any new visitors – and for that matter, to any old ones. The Dodger Thoughts "Thank You for Not …" guidelines will still be in place, and an ongoing emphasis on these will go a long way.

The second issue will be more vexing for some. The Times requires all comments to be reviewed before they are made live. There will be multiple people behind-the-scenes with the ability to do this, so in many cases, the approval will come quickly. But at odd moments and in odd hours, there will be delays.

I assure you that no one is more concerned about this than I am, but I urge you to see this from a big picture. It shouldn't affect your enjoyment of other people's comments. They will all come. At Baseball Toaster, you never knew exactly when the next comment was coming, and so the Times will be no different.

As for your own comments, this will require a little more patience. The comments will come, and they will come in the order that they were made, and so in the end, though the flow might be more staccato, the substance of our conversations doesn't need to change.

For example, I've studied the quantity of comments that come in the wee hours, which are the ones that are going to most delayed, and it's a tiny percentage of what the site does overall. That can be a great time to comment, but in the end, if you find that your 2 a.m. comment doesn't appear until 5 a.m., just remember that when it does appear, it will get a wider readership, and that it's all part of a bigger plan. In any case, I ask for your patience as we work the kinks out.

(I'll still have my day job at Variety, in case you were wondering.)

* * *

I can't leave without thanking Ken Arneson for making Baseball Toaster possible, and for all the other Toaster writers for being so great to work alongside. It is really a strong feeling. We'll always have our Paris of the Internet.

For more information on the fate of Toaster, please go to Fairpole.

Comments (178)
Show/Hide Comments 1-50
2009-02-02 16:57:02
1.   Dodger Tony
So what happens to the Kamenetzkys?
2009-02-02 16:57:28
2.   fanerman
Wow. Congratulations, Jon! This is shocking and wonderful news. I think I have to go catch my breath somewhere.
2009-02-02 16:58:03
3.   Jon Weisman
1 - They'll continue their Laker blog and write a little Dodger stuff for the Fabulous Forum blog.
2009-02-02 16:58:18
4.   underdog
Norm!

I mean, Wow!

Well, as long as you're still doing it, Jon, and it's still Dodger Thoughts, it's large comfort. The comment delay thing will take some getting used to, but I'm sure we can work around it. During the games it might be a bit harder but sounds like there will be quicker approval rates at times like those.

At any rate, congrats and best of luck and we'll be there right behind you!

Will miss the simplicity of the Toaster though. Thanks again to Ken and Phil and company for keeping this going so well for so long. Don't be a stranger.

2009-02-02 16:59:46
5.   Alex41592
It's time to gsther, talk about the meaning of life and men with comfortable shoes.
2009-02-02 16:59:48
6.   Jon Weisman
4 - Thanks a lot.
2009-02-02 16:59:59
7.   Alex41592
*gather
2009-02-02 17:00:19
8.   Sam DC
fanerman's gotta come up with a new gem to force to the fore.

Congrats Jon. See you and I hope and 'spect everyone else over there . . .

2009-02-02 17:01:58
9.   Marty
It's been a great run Jon. Here's hoping the next gig is even better.
2009-02-02 17:02:18
10.   Jon Weisman
8 - Thanks, Sam.

I'm gonna try to thank as many of you individually as I can, but if I miss you, know that I love ya.

2009-02-02 17:04:20
11.   underdog
"It's a dog eat dog world, and I'm wearing Milkbone underwear." - Norm Peterson
2009-02-02 17:04:54
12.   trainwreck
I feel bad for the Griddle.
2009-02-02 17:04:57
13.   Dodger Tony
Times Traffic should increase exponentially.
Mazeltov! Here's hoping there's a lot about Manny, oy gevalt!
2009-02-02 17:05:28
14.   underdog
Isn't this just like the blog's a nice apartment but it's gotten outdated and the host is now moving to a nice, more central apartment -- and we're all invited? I'll bring wine and some bread.
2009-02-02 17:06:07
15.   Gen3Blue
I hope an important phase in my life is just morphing! And real congratulations to you Jon, this could be a wonderful bit of growth. There is an east coast cabal of course, that posts at 5 or 6 am. LA time. I hope we can survive.
2009-02-02 17:07:03
16.   trainwreck
Congratulations, Jon. I can tell how gratifying and fulfilling this must be for you.

I will definitely miss the Toaster. Love the set up.

2009-02-02 17:08:09
17.   Eric Enders
12 Me too. But more than that, I feel bad for myself having no more Griddle to read.

I'm very happy for Jon, and I have two hopes.

1. That The Griddle will pop up again elsewhere, and
2. That the deluge of hundreds upon hundreds of Dodger Thoughts posts will disabuse the Times of the notion that comments need to be moderated.

2009-02-02 17:08:14
18.   Brent Knapp
Congratulations Jon and thanks for providing this arena. Other than discussion about the Dodgers, I love DT for all the other information/advice posters provide. I found out about hundreds of restaurants in greater LA over the last couple years, no secret better than Sanchez meat market for carne asada. I had it as part of my "Nacho Bar" for the superbowl. Thanks again to Jon and everyone else, and I hope that DT on the LA times can continue its greatness.
2009-02-02 17:09:36
19.   still bevens
1000 post game threads RIP =(
2009-02-02 17:10:10
20.   DaDoughboy
'..something that represents the best potential of what online conversation in the 21st century can be.'

Incredibly well said Jon. Just really glad I found you guys/gals this year.

Hear hear!

2009-02-02 17:11:19
21.   trainwreck
The white half of me fears this change.
2009-02-02 17:15:11
22.   Jon Weisman
19 - Don't give up the ship...
2009-02-02 17:15:55
23.   68elcamino427
Whoa Nellie!

The Vin of the webloggers is moving up where he belongs.

Congratulations Jon Weisman.

One small step for Dodger Fans everywhere ...

2009-02-02 17:16:16
24.   underdog
"Change your (Dodger) thoughts and you change your world." -- Norman Vincent Peale
2009-02-02 17:18:19
25.   Eric Enders
Pointedly asking this here instead of at the new site: Does the Times have any sort of editorial control/input? (Other than, I guess, the removal of the "Take Back the Times" link from the sidebar.)
2009-02-02 17:18:34
26.   Sam DC
(waiting for Jon's reaction to being called "The Vin of the webloggers.")

I mean, Sam Malone and Vin in one day?

In one thread!?!!

2009-02-02 17:19:38
27.   Alex41592
Dodgers offer new contract to Manny.

http://www.insidesocal.com/dodgers/2009/02/dodgers-make-se.html

2009-02-02 17:19:50
28.   Marty
I'm guessing I'll have to become a lurker as it seems a conflict of interest for me to comment on a Times site.
2009-02-02 17:20:00
29.   68elcamino427
26
This reference has been made many times.
2009-02-02 17:20:54
30.   JJ42
Conrats and Thanks Jon! And since I'm expecting a bunch of new posters once the change hits, thank you to everyone here. I hope we still keep this level of analysis and intimacy at the LA Times, while looking forward to our next wiffle ball game!
2009-02-02 17:21:30
31.   underdog
27 - Hm, I wonder if Boras will then come back with, "make it two years/45" which was their original offer and that'll be the deal.

--

Btw, Jon, sorry if this was answered already, but will DT/Toaster posts be archived still, or is it all getting erased?

2009-02-02 17:21:48
32.   ToyCannon
From the moment I first found DT I knew you'd be moving on to bigger things. I'll miss the Toaster and the smallness of a big thing. Good luck, show the Times how it's done.
2009-02-02 17:22:46
33.   Jon Weisman
25 - No, they have input, but they didn't ask me to take down Take Back. As far as my posting, it's supposed to be status quo.

31 - Will be saved.

2009-02-02 17:23:09
34.   underdog
28 - Nah, not if you're not commenting about the Times itself, right? I don't think it's a big deal personally; anyway, hope you stick around in some form.
2009-02-02 17:23:24
35.   68elcamino427
Mr. Ultimo will you be checking in?
2009-02-02 17:24:24
36.   DaDoughboy
27.
That's surprising to me. Making an offer like this seems to open a door to a 3-yr offer from the Gigantes or Angels (even though they aren't interested).
2009-02-02 17:24:56
37.   Alex41592
Kobe Bryant loves Madison Square Garden.

21 points midway through the 2nd quarter.

2009-02-02 17:25:33
38.   Alex41592
Um, make that 23. MSG is ooohing and ahhing.
2009-02-02 17:26:32
39.   fanerman
8 We'll see. I might just be a one-hit wonder =).

This place moving to the Times is incredible. Jon's readership will explode and that can only be a benefit for Dodgers and baseball fans. That makes me excited. But I'm still going to miss this place.

Oh well, all things must pass.

2009-02-02 17:27:16
40.   Bumsrap
Jon, I can picture you now in an office between Simmers and Plashke, well maybe their old offices.

This is good for the Times and good for us and good for Dodger Thoughts. Jon, thanks for taking us up the ladder with you.

2009-02-02 17:28:21
41.   bhsportsguy
40 He'll be in a virtual office.
2009-02-02 17:28:35
42.   Humma Kavula
Heartiest congratulations, Jon.
2009-02-02 17:29:39
43.   Sam PHL
Congratulations, Jon! Your writing certainly deserves the greater exposure it will get. The Times could always use more rational sports analysis.

Hopefully, this move will also result in a more thoughtful fanbase. I've definitely learned a lot about baseball from reading you and the commenters here.

2009-02-02 17:30:01
44.   68elcamino427
Hot Wheels baby!
2009-02-02 17:30:29
45.   BarkinJ
Congrats, Jon.

Is the Times getting you a press pass?

2009-02-02 17:31:30
46.   Johnson
My attitude towards major change has always been as follows:

1. Avoid whenever possible.
2. Deal with gracefully when avoidance is impossible.

This is clearly a time for #2.

Congratulations, Jon, and I'll join you on the other side (complying with #1 above by reading as frequently and commenting as infrequently as ever!)

2009-02-02 17:34:06
47.   Marty
If the Times has any Brains, and it's questionable, they should promote the Hell out of Dodger Thoughts.
2009-02-02 17:38:04
48.   Sam DC
47 Of course you know the rules, but gee it'd seem like a good thing for the Times to have more folks reading and commenting at their site.

Employees are allowed to buy the paper, after all.

Sure would miss chatting food and the 70s LA Music scene and dogs with you.

And if a food savant named Ytram should show up at DTLAT at odd times, I'm guessing she'd be welcomed with open eyes.

2009-02-02 17:40:45
49.   Marty
I was just told, that as long as I clearly identify myself as an employee, I can comment on the Times blogs. Of course, now it becomes a productivity perception problem.

Also, my guess is LAT needs a new handle

2009-02-02 17:44:31
50.   68elcamino427
The Griddle RIP

Pishaw - say it ain't so ...

Show/Hide Comments 51-100
2009-02-02 17:46:37
51.   MyTummyHurts
felisidades Jon. I feel like a veteran now posting for 3 years I think.

I have to admit though that I will definitely miss all the contributors to the baseball toaster. it felt like they were regular plebes just like me.

2009-02-02 17:48:44
52.   Rob M
I always expected Jon to move to the Times at some point, but I assumed it would be as a print columnist. With all of the problems at the Times and elsewhere in the print world, I still thought it was inevitable that the best Dodger writer writing anywhere wouldn't get scooped up at some point. Congratulations, Jon. I really hope the game threads have the same amiable and entertaining atmosphere that they've had on the Toaster.
2009-02-02 17:50:26
53.   Chris H
Congrats Jon. Hopefully this will be the best incarnation of your site yet!
2009-02-02 17:51:33
54.   Bob Hendley
Jon, you certainly deserve this.
2009-02-02 17:51:49
55.   Eric Enders
There's kind of a strange "Being John Malkovich" vibe going on right now with two different conversations taking place concurrently on two different versions of Dodger Thoughts.
2009-02-02 17:54:40
56.   underdog
55 - Hah hah. Totally. One foot in one universe and another in a different universe.

I'll post at new site tonight.

But I will say, off topic... if you're fighting a cold, as I am, I highly recommend drinking Knudsen's Lemon Ginger Echinacea Juice. It's great for sore throats and so on.

There, just the kind of randomness I hope we can find a way to continue at DT v2.0.

2009-02-02 17:55:54
57.   Bob Hendley
55 - The Thought of posting somewhere else is scary. Its acknowledging the end.
2009-02-02 17:59:07
58.   68elcamino427
Will DT v3.0 incorporate all of the goodness and richness of today's site and tomorrow's accompanied by even more and better than heretofore imagined?

Yes - and the change will come quickly :)

2009-02-02 17:59:20
59.   Dodgers49
Congratulations, Jon. This will still be the first site I visit when I sign on each day no matter where it is. I'm happy for you and happy to see the Times make such a smart move.
2009-02-02 18:00:37
60.   Fan since 59
Congratulations, Jon. This site has been a fun place for me to go during the day to catch up on any Dodger news I may have missed. The regular commentators have made it even more enriching. I hope that doesn't go away at the Times site. Bob, see if the Library's web site will let you expand the Griddle, although you're obelisk may have to go. And to Ned and Frank, please sign Manny now.
2009-02-02 18:02:10
61.   dkminnick
The folks at the Times are smarter than I thought. Good for you, Jon, and good for them, too. Congratulations.

I'm really happy for you, but I must admit that I have a touch that elitist feeling - like having been a fan of a band for years before they have their first hit record. It makes no sense at all, but I have a feeling of loss right now.

2009-02-02 18:05:10
62.   D4P
And I'm not just a regular. I'm Sam Malone

I prefer to think of you as Becker.

As for the rest, no offense, but this sucks. I'm not happy.

2009-02-02 18:08:55
63.   68elcamino427
62
There are many wonderful elements realted to this site in it's present form that I will miss ...
but the train is leaving the station.
2009-02-02 18:12:29
64.   willhite
Congrats Jon. I'm sure we'll all be following you over. Could you fill us in on how this all transpired? Did The Times contact you, or you them?
2009-02-02 18:12:44
65.   trainwreck
I would be lying if I did not say I am not a little worried we are going to lose our perfect little community.

It is like Dodger Thoughts has become Big Love. That kinda makes me like Amanda Seyfried, only she is just a little more beautiful than me.

2009-02-02 18:13:26
66.   adamclyde
Wow, well, Jon, first, a hearty congratulations. You deserve to make the big time, and I hope this makes your efforts more sustainable... moving from hobby to proper paycheck, I hope.

Now, for the practical... it will certainly be a transition for this community. Granted, I've not been the most active in the comments and game-day threads... some of the game-day threads really thrived on that near real-time commenting. So... it will be a transition for sure. Plus, let's hope that your being on LA Times will raise the baseball IQ of the readers (and writers).

and on that point, I hope you keep challenging Plaschke with the same amount of vigor when the situation calls for it!

2009-02-02 18:28:22
67.   trainwreck
And now the end is near...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLC3uT3aCoE

NSFW

2009-02-02 18:34:01
68.   shamrok
Congrats Jon, sincerely.

I've been a lurker since 04 and I feel I need to throw in my 2 cents. I really think it's a mistake moving the comments to a mainstream news site. This may be called comments here, but it is more forum and chat in nature. And expanding this blog brings with it a higher noise-signal. I've experienced this on a few message boards, and when there is a deluge of new users, the inanity is seriously offputting. Take note of Youtube and ESPN (or hell, most news sites) commentators and you will see what I mean.

Just a concern, but a very real one. I come here to read comments as much as posts, and I really don't want to have to wade through junk to get to the gems.

Okay, said my peace. I think the increased exposure is excellent and congrats again Jon.

2009-02-02 18:34:03
69.   Telemachos
Wow.

I rarely post these days (especially in the off-season), but I don't think a day's gone by in the last couple of years when I haven't checked in here at least once (and usually DT is a page I leave up all day and habitually refresh).

I'm sad to see the Toaster ending, and our small special community moving on to something bigger. Of course, it's also exciting, and Jon, I couldn't be happier that this blog is moving up in the world. Now, off to register my name at the Times. :)

2009-02-02 18:35:21
70.   shamrok
noise-signal ratio
2009-02-02 18:36:43
71.   dzzrtRatt
Wow. I'm thunderstruck and perhaps a bit disappointed.

I take your point on the comment moderation at the Times and will hope it works out the way you say. That hasn't been my experience adding comments to the Times' other blogs, regardless of time of day. And those blogs get about 1/500th the commments you get even on a slow day. They have no idea what kind of avalanche is heading their way. If they are going to "approve" each one, there is no possible way the flow of the conversation can be maintained. I think the real-time, near-IM quality of your comment thread has been one of its strongest features since I first encountered it. You are, indeed, Sam Malone, but you've got a lot of Norms, Cliffs, Coaches and (ahem) Woodys delivering good lines, too. And I'm sure they'll continue to do so, but timing matters.

That said: You certainly deserve the bigger audience, the bigger comment base, and the prestige that still attaches to the LA Times. You have clearly become the best Dodger analyst in the city, and with the resources of the Times available to you, perhaps you'll be able to do some on-the-scene reporting, for example at Spring Training, the draft, or checking out the prospects in the minors. So this is a huge win for you and for all Dodger fans.

But the comment thing hopefully can be addressed. You're a pretty strong voice in favor of thoughtful, obscenity-free comments. If commenters have to register, if a filter catches all the barnyard epithets and spam, and if an editor swoops in several times a day to remove the hidden Al Qaeda messages, wouldn't that be sufficient? I hope so. Come the season, I want to sit on that enormous sofa with you and the rest of the gang and watch the cheers pile up when J-Martin hits a timely bomb.

P.S. I guess this also means the retirement of dzzrtRatt. See you at the new place under my legal name.

2009-02-02 18:39:47
72.   bhsportsguy
71 Why change your name, you certainly don't have to.
2009-02-02 18:41:43
73.   Jon Weisman
71 - Thanks, Ratt. I am both nervous and hopeful.
2009-02-02 18:44:34
74.   bryanf
Congratulations Jon! I, for one, would follow you and anything you write into a dark alley without asking questions, so while this came as surprising news (and doubly surprising that the Toaster itself is going away), I am excited for you because it means that a whole other world of people will finally be exposed to the brilliance that takes place here on a daily basis. I look forward to seeing things happen in the new format and I know that you and the DT community in general will all flourish no matter where we are.

Thanks and congrats again.

2009-02-02 18:48:43
75.   Gilgamesh
Congratulations, Jon, you deserve it.
I know the conversational/interactive aspect of blogging has a special appeal to many DT readers, but for me Dodger Thoughts has always been solely about Jon Weisman. I've been reading 4 years and posted maybe a handful of times. Don't underestimate the value of old-fashioned oneway communication, ie. the actual blog posts. You have a special skill and always something interesting to say. That is the primary appeal of DT to me, and the new audience at large you are about to serve. I hope that the quality writing will continue at the Times. Actually, I know it will. Good luck and best wishes!
2009-02-02 18:49:19
76.   Bob Hendley
67 - Nice trainwreck. I feel as well that I have been punched in the stomach. Now, time to roll with it.
2009-02-02 18:50:34
77.   BlueCrew Bruin
Congrats Jon! I read your posts nearly every day and even though I don't comment often, this is one of the only online communities where I actually feel like part of the community. Thanks again.
2009-02-02 18:54:56
78.   Branch Rickey
I echo most of DzzrtRattt's thought. I'm REALLY happy for you Jon. And of course I'll wait, like I will for Joe Torre's book, to read it before I judge. It just strikes be like the Catch 22 of a democratic society (wow, don't mean to sound so high falutin'!).... the masses deserve to share in this but the masses by their very involvement can also ruin it. I'm so disgusted by the average letter to the Times and for that matter by most of the columns in the TImes. That's the exact reason I run from Citywalk to find my little local bar with the smart interesting people. Put it on Citywalk and it's filled with loud tourists with plaid shorts and black socks.
All that said... it's like tearing down an old park to build a new one. It's sad but it's progress. It always happens and it's usually for the best. So I will hope!
2009-02-02 19:01:43
79.   therickdaddy
Wow!

Congratulations and good luck, Jon. I've been here since 2004 and this was such news to me that I told my wife about it before the new Manny offer. ;) You deserve the bigger exposure, and I'm sure the community will fall in line.

I'm also an extreme optimist. ;)

Take care.

2009-02-02 19:02:07
80.   Greg Brock
Congrats, Jon!
2009-02-02 19:02:47
81.   dzzrtRatt
Okay, I just tested it out. I commented on the NEW Dodger Thoughts, and the comment appeared in about three minutes.

I say we give it a whirl. Maybe with practices the Times can shave 90 seconds off that.

And y'know, the Times let me use my fake name. So what the hell, dzzrtRatt lives.

An analogy: The first time I heard the song "Born to Run," the album was at least a year away. I was part of a small group of people at Santa Monica Civic Auditorium being introduced to this new-fangled thing by struggling young opening act. Then, Time magazine, new management, ba-boom...and last night Mr. Springsteen performed the same song at the Super Bowl in front of the biggest audience of his life. And it still sounded great. The essence of greatness doesn't change.

The Thoughts is dead! Long live the Thoughts!

2009-02-02 19:02:57
82.   Alex41592
Kobe Bryant has broken the all-time scoring record at Madison Square Garden.

61 points and counting.

2009-02-02 19:03:55
83.   DXMachina
Congratulations, Jon, and good luck! I will miss this place.
2009-02-02 19:07:28
84.   MollyKnight
The masses need Jon Weisman's dodger thoughts. This is a tremendously good thing. Congratulations!
2009-02-02 19:07:49
85.   LogikReader
Wow, you too Jon? This is great news! Great, but sad for me.

First BB and now DT... I hope I can find all of you out there soon.

...I'm gonna miss this place ::sniff::

2009-02-02 19:10:37
86.   Sac Town Dodger Fan
WOW, I was expecting to get home from work to read everyones thoughts about the Manny 1 year deal. In a purely selfish way, I am bummed to see this site go, its brought me countless memories.

Most my friends think I am the ultimate Dodger Guru, but its so refreshing to come onto this site and see the wealth of baseball knowledge from the Jon and the ensemble of loyal readers. I've learned so much from this site, and can only hope the LA Times doesnt screw up a great thing.

Best of luck Jon, I wish you all the best!

2009-02-02 19:19:49
87.   bablue
Congrats Jon! This is pretty shocking. I'll miss checking here on the Toaster to see what you've written. Hopefully the Times will be just as good, and hopefully the Dodgers will be even better!! ;-)

I'll miss the NPUT's and being LAT'd!!! ;-)

2009-02-02 19:19:55
88.   kachang
Congratulations Jon!

I rarely post, but Dodgerthoughts has become the first website I open daily for 3 or 4 years now. I think following the 4+1 game via Dodgerthoughts (sans any live tv feed) was probably my most memorable Dodger experience of the last 20 years! This site/your posts/the comment(er)s have all been a big part of my baseball life. Thank you.

I wish you luck and I'll be sure to follow the posts over at the Times.

Thanks for a running a great show.

2009-02-02 19:21:47
89.   bigcpa
Congrats Jon! Part of why I come here is to wail against the glacial evolution of the mainstream baseball media. It was kinda cool being indie underground and all. But your ideas (and the wisdom of our masses) deserve a larger platform.

2009- Toaster -> latimes.com

2013- Plaschke -> Weisman

2009-02-02 19:23:47
90.   old dodger fan
Nobody deserves this as much as you do.

I am so happy for you but as many have expressed better than I can, I have just a bit of fear that a place I go to every day is changing. But I'll be there.

2009-02-02 19:25:34
91.   invisibleman
No ShiftyJ at the new site either.
2009-02-02 19:32:06
92.   Daniel Zappala
Congratulations, Jon. I'm really happy for you. Bittersweet, like the finest chocolate.
2009-02-02 19:33:39
93.   Tommy Naccarato
Jon, First, I want to offer my congratulations, you've certainly deserve it for holding court for so long. You've done a very respectable job. I'm glad to say I've seen you go from the very minute to the top and certainly, the next step would undoubtedly be recognition by the team itself.

Certainly all of this is a stepping stone.

Don't laugh about this, but the other day, I'm driving down the Santa Monica Freeway, looking up on top of the hill and seeing the light standards of the stadium in all of their glory, thinking, in just a few months, this same trip, they'll be playing up there again, and I'll have the raido tuned in listening to Vin.

Suddenly it occurred to me that this won't always be this way, because things do change. "Who would eventually replace the greatest announcer of all-time?" I then thought to myself, "Why haven't the Dodgers, instead of utilizing the Charlie Steiner's and Rick Monday's of the world, do what they did in Brooklyn so many years ago, and give a young, talented kid from the Bronx a chance to work with the great Red Barber?"

"Who could be such a candidate for that chance?"

I came up with one answer: Jon Weisman.

He's got knowledge; shmaltz and most, a devout love of the game. I could see Vinny taking this guy under his wing and who knows.... Our very own Jon eventually doing what he does best, covering the Dodgers. Only this would be game by game, inning by inning, pitch by pitch; every detail, story and experience in a lifetime filled with Dodger Thoughts.

I hope someone from the Dodgers Organization is reading, because stuff like this gold. The math is simple. You want to someday replace Vin Scully? Do it with someone that is capable of taking that type of announcing to the next level, just like Vin did with Red Barber. It's mentoring to some extent, but I tend to think its a brilliant idea whose time has come.

As far as this website, I have to say that I feel a bit sad in one respect, because it is sort of selling out in way, because I've been here close to the beginning, but most, because of the many LA Times writers and unknown amounts of staff that were sent packing by current ownership.

Much thanks to Ken Arneson for allowing us to be a part of your Toaster home. I hope if the Times thing doesn't work out, we still have a place like this to come back to.

Once again, congrats Jon.

2009-02-02 19:34:36
94.   Robert Fiore
All I can think of at the moment is how aggravating this is going to be for Bill Plaschke. I mean, if I have anything to say about it . . .
2009-02-02 19:41:53
95.   NorCal-Dodger
Jon,

I'm very happy for your continued success, sad though to see this site eventually go away. Guess it's NPUT @ LAT

2009-02-02 19:44:41
96.   El Lay Dave
This is the one thread LAT cannot get LATed on.
2009-02-02 19:45:44
97.   Kuo-fax
Congrat's Jon! I don't post very often, but like others have said this is the first site I check, daily. At least for the past couple years. A real haven of thoughtful discussion and witty banter, even when veering far from all-things-Dodger, as happens.

Your insightful editorials are only matched by your amazing moderation skills. Honestly, I think that is the backbone that has kept this site so free of the usual internet craziness.

I'll be following whatever site you move to.

2009-02-02 19:47:54
98.   El Lay Dave
It may seem repetitive, but congratulations and good luck at the new location. Dodger Thoughts played a large role in revitalizing my interest in the hometown team and in baseball in general, and I look forward to the continued growth of your personal forum "for dealing psychologically with the Los Angeles Dodgers and baseball." Believe you me, it helps us plenty too.
2009-02-02 20:02:41
99.   Chiron Brown
Jon, you've decided to give up being Cheers so you can be TGIFridays. Forgive me for not applauding that. And for all your talk about bloggers being legit this move and your reasons for making it seem to say that you will feel more legit as bonafide journalist for the Times than you did as a lowly independant blogger. Do you think Sam Malone would be happy as the GM of TGIFridays?
2009-02-02 20:08:11
100.   Bob Hendley
I selfishly don't want this to end, but I echo Molly's thoughts that an expanded forum for Jon is a very good thing.
Show/Hide Comments 101-150
2009-02-02 20:11:08
101.   John Hale
Congrats from another mostly lurker.
Kind of full circle for me. I moved out of CA 12 years ago and for the first couple years as the internet exploded I kept the LAtimes sports section as my first read in the morning. Slowly grew out of that and the Dodgers drifted out of my thoughts. 5 years ago I found Dodger thoughts and it has rejuvenated my love for the boys in blue. And now I have to go back to the times to keep it going. But I used DT as an intelligent source for discussion of all things that didn't violate rules and hope to still see some of that. But if not thanks to all who contributed.
2009-02-02 20:12:30
102.   sporky
Congratulations, Jon!

I haven't been around long, but I'll miss the real-time comments int the game threads.

Now might be a good time to consider changing my handle...

2009-02-02 20:13:27
103.   dzzrtRatt
99 The difference, Chiron, is that Jon is elevating the LAT by his presence on their site. They've finally done what I predict all brand-name news organizations are going to do: Instead of trying to compete with good bloggers with a follower, just freakin' hire them.

If TGIF hired Sam Malone he would've gotten lost in the shuffle -- just another manager pulling another shift in a top-down organization. A few barflies might have followed him, then drifted away. The LAT hiring Jon to continue DT on their site is a win-win. There will be a noticeable improvement in the Times' Dodger coverage, a wider audience will see the fine work Jon is capable of, and Jon will have more resources, including I assume a biweekly check, so he can continue the blog despite his growing responsibilities and build on the base he's built.

P.S. With the Times' delay, I bet there will be more LATing, not less.

2009-02-02 20:16:53
104.   Indiana Jon
Wow, I don't know what to say. Congrats Jon on the move. I know this is an important step up for you and the blog and will hopefully extend your great writing and the great discussion here to masses of Dodger fans that would otherwise not see your blog. I can't help but think this may not be the best of moves for your readers east of the Mississippi though. The real time postings always made me feel like I was watching the game with friends. I'll give it the benefit of doubt until I see how it goes, but a delay in comments will somehow make the interaction less personal.
2009-02-02 20:27:40
105.   Cones88
Huge congrats. Found this site in early 2004 and have been back everyday since.
2009-02-02 20:47:01
106.   adrian beltre
big time congratulations, jon. i never thought i'd be rendered speechless by a blog becoming a different blog, but then again i never thought most things i do now that i know about dodger thoughts.
2009-02-02 20:50:58
107.   dan reines
Jon, that's fantastic -- congratulations. And more to the point, congratulations to the LAT. Speaking as someone who grew up on the Times and only recently, very reluctantly, very sadly, cancelled my subscription, I believe you're the best thing about the paper now, certainly the best thing about the sports section. I can only hope it's the start of a renewal. It's certainly a step in the right direction.

And may I also say that I've been reading you since Hector was a pup (and since Fox owned the Dodgers), and you've made me love both baseball and the Dodgers as much as I did when I was a kid. That's not insignificant. Thanks, Jon, and congratulations again.

2009-02-02 20:53:00
108.   JoeyP
The comment delay thing is going to be bad for game threads ---> but I had been getting DodgerThoughts blocked at work since it was labeled a sports site. Now, it should work since its on the LA Times site.
2009-02-02 21:03:26
109.   eekrock
an earnest, and well-deserved, congratulations, Jon. i wish you the best in the new digs and look forward to seeing you over there.

i discovered this site a year ago and it's been my top source for Dodgers discussion since. i hope to see all of the brilliant commenters over at LAT, as well. congrats again.

cheers!

2009-02-02 21:06:25
110.   nofatmike
Congrats. I've never really posted much on here, but this blog has been the first place for me to go for Dodger info since 2005. It's sad to see a new format, I've always thought that, like Vin Scully, you would be blogging here forever. But in hindsight, this seems very logical. This blog has been booming in traffic while the LA Times has been struggling for the last 4 years to increase it's viewership. It was an inevitability from the get-go, and it probably gives you and the LA Times more security during a recession. Still, I will miss all the colorful, off-the-wall comments that have made this blog so enjoyable to read over the past few years; ranging from "Gameday seems to be broke. It keeps on saying every Dodger hitter is hitting a home run. Major software bug or something" to "Show me on the doll where the Dodgers touched you", this has always seemed to add the right of humor into any Dodger moment whether good good.

Good Luck.

2009-02-02 21:13:04
111.   LU Dodger
lol Jon is a sellout
2009-02-02 21:28:28
112.   Lexinthedena
Jon....I am very happy for you. the L.A times has needed you for so long. Here's to you upping the baseball IQ of the masses the way you did for us.
2009-02-02 21:39:43
113.   LAbits
Alrighty, then!

The Dodger Thoughts path is somewhat familiar. I admin the #1 fan site for a now obscure but always wonderful collectible card game. We started on a personal website, but the person left the hobby, so we transitioned to .com startup's website. They were bought by a major cable network and that part of their business (fan sites) was phased out. However, we'd become big enough to attract the attention of the game's distributor and became an official fan site. Sometime later, we're back on our own. About 800 unique registered members log in each day. And so it goes!

Foxsports used to have some great boards for baseball organized by divisions. They closed those for a long time and all the posters there were scattered to the four winds. Some ended up here. And so it goes!

Good luck at the Times, hope to see everyone posting there. So long and thanks for all the fairpole.

2009-02-02 21:41:40
114.   Eric L
Late to the party as usual (and I didn't read all of the comments... sorry Jon!)..

This is still the best blog that I've ever come across. Jon is a wonderful writer and the community here is beyond belief. I enjoy this place because I love the Dodgers, but you guys make it a better place.

DT is the antithesis of the blogs in Buzz Bissinger's world. Reading the comments section at a major media outlet can drive a person batty. Bissinger was right, but he was also wrong and I hope now that DT has a really cool platform that everyone can show the world that blogs can raise the level of discourse rather than lowering it.

2009-02-02 21:43:19
115.   Physics DR
SO is there a way I can be removed from the user list or the comment list.
2009-02-02 21:50:14
116.   s choir
Congratulations Jon. I am sad to see the site move. While it's been years since I commented on a regular basis, I still turn here daily to see your missives and to read the often hilarious comments.

I do have one concern other than the delayed comments issue: Jon, you have occasionally been critical of Times writers like Plaschke and Simers. Your voice has lent legitimacy to the critiques of those writers. Will you feel comfortable critiquing other journalists for your paper? Will your role as an intermediary between the media and the fans change now?

I went to about 20 dodger games last year, including game 3 vs. the Cubs. One of the first things I did when I got home from a game was to read all the comments from the game chat thread. Since I don't bring a radio to the games, consulting Dodger Thoughts afterwards was my way of putting what I had just seen in perspective, of finding out whether an umpire had missed a call on a crucial play, of finding out whether Billingsley was really wild that night or if he was just getting squeezed, of reliving the moment of a home run or a strikeout or a webgem. In short, Dodger Thoughts was also my way of dealing psychologically with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The beginning of 2009 has been a cyclone of change for me, my friends, my community, and the country. So many friends are getting laid off. A few long term romances have come to an end. One friend's spouse died an untimely death in a tragic car accident. Because I impulsively visit this site multiple times per day, Dodger Thoughts leaving for the Times feels like another death. Coming here was almost like breathing.

Of course there will be a rebirth for Dodger Thoughts with the Times, and my heartbroken and downtrodden friends will also experience their own rebirth.

Lastly, congratulations to the prominent commenters here: the experts, the quick wits, the lions of debate, the film snobs, the anti-film snobs. You know who you are. You helped make this site what it is today. You helped Jon Weisman get a job at the LA Times!

2009-02-02 21:53:33
117.   ibleedbloo
Jon, mucho congrats. It is all to seldom that the people who deserve to be rewarded for their hard work actually are; the Times got one right going after you. I will definitely follow where ever DodgerThoughts goes.

I know you mentioned that things should be staying status quo, but does this include TV/movie talk? I really enjoy the Lost and Office talk that goes on around here and hope that doesn't go away with your move to the Times. If it can't be continued here, I hope that it will go on in some form at Variety.

2009-02-02 21:54:46
118.   Andrew Shimmin
Congratulations Jon. I hope it works out, and it's obviously a big step for you. Best of luck.
2009-02-02 22:11:30
119.   Megaballs
Not sure what all this means to us but you've likely earned a legion of loyal supporters for years to come, whatever your endeavors.

Folks that feel close to you and will always wish you the best.

2009-02-02 22:13:56
120.   underdog
Sniff. Will this be my last post on the Toaster? And on DT.BT? I better make it something remarkably clever, astute, that sums it all up.

Alas, the cold medicine is keeping me from thinking too deeply or coherently so I'll just say -- see you all on the other side! Er, on the new DT. Turn off the lights when you're done and be a dear and take out the recycling, will you?

2009-02-02 22:16:10
121.   kene
Cheers to you Jon and congratulations. I never post one here but I am a long time reader and even bought one of the Dodgerthoughts.com T-Shirts. I love your blog and hope you keep up the same style with the Times. Good luck.
2009-02-02 22:16:51
122.   trainwreck
According to Ken, this will still be open for a few days. So you can make another incoherent post later, underdog.
2009-02-02 22:17:21
123.   ImprobableImpossible
This site has always been the best the internet has to offer. Hopefully we can all keep that spirit alive in the fresh, new digs. Congratulations and best of luck, Jon!

ImprobableImpossible
Keven Chavez

2009-02-02 22:31:19
124.   Jon Weisman
I will pick my spots to challenge Times writers, and to have off-topic threads, in the same fashion that I always have.
2009-02-02 22:42:56
125.   Bob Loblaw
Jon,

I'm late to the party (as usual), but I want to offer my sincere congratulations on the new gig, and an enormous thank you for providing a such a well-regulated, spontaneous community of Dodger enthusiasts.

Ironically, I first stumbled onto this sight back in the winter of 2003 in search of trade rumors, after the LA Times closed down their previous Dodger forum.

I've enjoyed your blog almost daily since then, though I've rarely had time to comment.

Today is special, and I wish you the best of luck! See you at the Times....

2009-02-02 22:44:33
126.   jonahkeri
Congrats Jon! Exciting times, looking forward to reading your excellent work in a bigger forum.

And hey, I prefer to think of it as you joining the paper that brought us the likes of Jim Murray and Mike Downey, not those other guys.

2009-02-02 22:49:59
127.   tjdub
I have no qualms in stating that I love this place. I moved away from LA when I was eleven years old. First to Solvang, then San Diego, then to school, marriage, career, kids, etc. in Utah. I never left the Dodgers (how could I?) but it has been a lonely fandom throughout much of that time. In twenty-six years I have never had a good friend who has shared my love for the Dodgers. Even my son whom I love more than life, somehow chose an allegiance to the Red Sox a few years ago. Then I stumbled upon Dodger Thoughts a little more than a year ago. An insightful and talented host. Numerous engaging and enlightening guests. I come here every day now and am always grateful for what I find.

Thank you Jon and congratulations. I will gladly follow DT to the LAT.

2009-02-02 23:07:10
128.   oshea2002
Congrats Jon. This is truly a great site, and I look forward to following you to the Times.
2009-02-02 23:12:33
129.   Slipstream
Congratulations Jon and good luck.
2009-02-02 23:15:35
130.   Linkmeister
Bah. Blogrolling is still broke, so I'm gonna have to get to Jon through the regular LAT side rather than a direct link. Ah well, small price to pay. Congrats, Jon, and thanks to Ken and all the other Toaster authors for the good times here.

Timmermann needs to find a gig somewhere, or at least a blogspot blog.

2009-02-02 23:16:50
131.   AKblue
Congrats on the big move Jon, you're a true class act. Good on ya' LA Times!

124 As for challenging the Times writers....perhaps you could somehow convince your new colleague Mr. Simers that his career needs an upgrade to a more "important" media market like New York or…. say Mumbai.

2009-02-02 23:27:40
132.   Strike4
Jon, congratulations! Hope everything turns out great.
2009-02-02 23:28:21
133.   AKblue
Manny turns Ned down again. Weak sauce.

http://tinyurl.com/bs6yg6

2009-02-02 23:35:25
134.   Sharkie
I don't post often, but a hearty congratulations! I will miss reading posts here on game days, but this means LATimes will be better. I stopped reading the LATimes in large part due to writers like Plaschke. The guy is a donk. It made reading the sports page painful, which isn't what I want from the sports page. So maybe LATimes is getting smarter. I may even subscribe again.

Best wishes!

2009-02-03 00:35:32
135.   Zak
Wow Jon, I don't know what to say. It almost feels like a part of life has died. You don't really know me or remember me, but you and your writings are such a huge influence on my day to day life. I don't think I've missed a post in years, and I am very saddened to learn that you are joining the Times. I hope that the new blog will be just like the old blog, but either my irrational fear of change or just cold reality tells me that things will never be the same again.

All that said, Gosh Jon, congratulations. I cannot think of a more talented and deserving person to do this. The Times are very lucky to have you and your analysis and I will always be a devout fan. Thank you so much for so many years of wonderful and brilliant posts. You made me think about the Dodgers in way I never did before. You enhanced mine, and I sure others', experience of being a fan. It's so silly to think that I am in a restaurant somewhere and the Dodgers just made a 9th inning comeback, and one of the excited thoughts running through my head is I have to check out what the commenters on DT are saying at this moment. But that is what I feel. That is what you have given me.

Well, thank you again, and good luck with everything. I wish you all the success and happiness. You certainly are Sam Malone.

2009-02-03 03:35:57
136.   dodger fan in hong kong
John (or Sam Malone), let me follow all the others in offering my congratulations.

This is a sad day. As you can read from the posters, there are lots of uncertainties and anxieties, too many to resolve at this time before the other site proves itself.

I think that many (if not all) of us will join you and see how the new site works. It's just that we are worried it won't live up to what we have come to expect and where we have come to relax on a daily basis.

Does anyone know where Bob is? Is he unhappy about this whole thing?

2009-02-03 04:30:21
137.   Andrew Shimmin
136- Bob has taken a new name (new to him, anyway), but can be found at the new digs. He unmasked himself as Phenomenal Smith, last night.
2009-02-03 05:48:29
138.   Hollywood Joe
Well done and well deserved

as the only newspaper subscriber in my age/peer group that I know, I am pleased to see a change being made by the Times I dont immediately percieve as negative and an indicator of approaching doom

In hiring you, someone there just justified thier salary for a very long time

Long live Jon and Dodger Thoughts, some times change is good, and many times it is what we make of change that ultimately decides it...

2009-02-03 06:37:24
139.   Dodger Dawg
Thanks for the memories. Congrats on your new gig. You've been the best Dodger site on the net and I hope it continues with the Times. I also hope that now you'll get acess to Ned and Frank.
2009-02-03 06:51:15
140.   Mark B
I couldn't be happier for you Jon. Congratulations!

Since so many others have already eloquently expressed what Jon and DT means to them, as well as the concerns they have in the transition, I'll take a slightly different approach and address the rest of the "family".

A big part of whether DT remains the community we've all grown to love will depend on us. It may take some time to get the "feel" back to how we like it, but I encourage everyone to make the effort. It's true big companies don't usually change things overnight, but if we give Jon the ammunition he needs (100s of game posts, night after night), I'm guessing they'll make adjustments to ensure the new site functions as well as it possible can. Our responses (or lack of) to the ignorant and inane comments, coupled with Jon's great administrator skills, should help mold the new community over time. It may not be perfect the first week, or even the first month, but I'm guessing we can recreate most of what we love here over there if we're willing to be a little patient.

Change can be scary, and as someone who has been reading Jon every day since well before he first moved to the Toaster, I totally get that. But Molly and others are right: it's well past time that the masses start seeing Jon's writing on the Dodgers.

And who knows, given that McCourt seems to be unduly swayed by whatever is written about the Dodgers in the Times, maybe this will be the unexpected realization of our dream of having a voice within the organization! :-)

Most importantly Jon, know that while there are some concerns, the DT family is heartily celebrating this success with you.

2009-02-03 06:52:14
141.   Ken Noe
Congratulations Jon. As a poster (east coast morning crew), I'll miss the comfort zone of the Toaster for awhile, but should be able to adjust to the new surroundings in time.
2009-02-03 07:31:25
142.   Paul Scott
Posted a few times at the new place, but thought I would leave my parting thoughts here.

1. Congrats again Jon.

2. I think the move has great potential.

3. I hope most of us here will move with the site and, even understanding the larger posting group likely at the LAT, I hope DT can:

a. keep its "community" - I hope we still have games days (though I have yet been able to go) and picnics.

b. not have too much of a problem with the new "signal to noise" - the posters here are a big part of the draw.

See you all there.

2009-02-03 07:41:13
143.   madmac
If this is good news, then why do I feel sad.

I am happy for you though Jon.

2009-02-03 07:53:45
144.   Jim Hitchcock
So I hit the new link, and wound up at ILoveAlpacas.com....

Seriously, good for you, Jon.

2009-02-03 09:31:49
145.   Harold M Johnson
While I understand the reasons for the move, I don't think it will go well. The community that has developed here is the strongest thing about the site, and it will be destroyed by the LATimes, who don't understand community or how to properly manage blogs.
2009-02-03 09:32:56
146.   Pecos Bill
Good bye Manny, Good bye Jon
2009-02-03 09:43:26
147.   njr
For the last five years, Dodgerthoughts has been the first and the last site I have checked every day. Thank you Jon. Thanks to the rest of you as well for your insite, your humor and the sense of community ever for lurkers like me. Let's hope we can translate some of that. Bon Voyage!
2009-02-03 10:27:13
148.   GMac In The 909
This was the first thing that came to mind when I read the post:

http://tinyurl.com/piles-o-cash

Anyway, congrats, Jon.

2009-02-03 11:22:24
149.   TopCat
I cried a tear.

Nooooooooooo!!..... I mean Yeaaaaaaaa!!

I'm conflicted but I won't go away...

2009-02-03 11:31:22
150.   OaklandAs
Congratulations, Jon. It's great that your writing will get a bigger audience. And that the quality of the Times' writers will finally take a step in the right direction.
Show/Hide Comments 151-200
2009-02-03 11:58:14
151.   EricGagnesGoggles
I just about never commented on your blog posts but without a doubt always read them. You are the clairvoyant among the Bill Plaschke's in the world. (And now you will find yourself on the same team as him) For some reason this just seems so sad. I'll miss the at home feel the toaster had. Now I feel like a tourist inside Hearst Castle. I wish you all the best, hopefully the grass is as green as we thought it to be.
2009-02-03 12:02:18
152.   Truman23
Congrats Jon. I'll miss this site and the quality of posts overall as I don't think the overall quality will remain (not a knock on you, but those that post here are excellent and I see the overall quality going down a bit). As a Cardinals fan, I've long said this is the best baseball blog out there. I've only commented once or twice, but I wanted to extend a congrats to you. And I also want to thank you for posting my interviews with DeWitt from YouTube that Terry forwarded to you.

Good luck with everything. You deserve all the success you receive.

2009-02-03 12:34:37
153.   Ranma
Congratulations, Jon, in getting Dodger Thoughts onto a bigger stage. Having moderated a Clippers message board that came to be after the closing of the LA Times version many moons ago, I can attest the growing pains will be trying but you are much better in serving as a leader than I was so the community is definitely in great hands.

I'm going to miss this venue greatly and personally appreciated the organic growth of patronage through word-of-mouth, but I'm very grateful to have found such a wonderful and active forum for the exchange of thoughts and ideas that does goes about business with civility in mind. All the best.

2009-02-03 12:50:56
154.   The Blue Legend
Congratulations Jon. I am mostly a reader of this blog. I've posted a few times but I consider this place my go to place for Dodgers news...rumors. I've been reading this blog for 5 years. I wish you all the best. It's the end of an era but the beginning of something bigger. Enjoy your journey and don't forget how you to this new place. Keep up the great work!!! I'm going to miss this great intimate place that somehow belong to all of us.
2009-02-03 13:07:59
155.   Jonny6
So I'm sitting down for lunch with my sandwich and the LA Times (what can I say, I'm old school I still like having the actual newspaper), and something catches my eye: Dodger Thoughts by Jon Weisman is the new LA Times Dodger's blog. Caught me off guard for a second, I must say.

From a frequent reader and occasional poster, I will simply echo what many here have already said: good for you, Jon. You deserve it, and maybe even the Times readership deserves it. Everyone here will survive the change, as much as some may initially dislike it.

Best of luck, and thanks for all of your efforts over the years. Maybe hard work and talent really do pay off in the long run.

2009-02-03 13:11:19
156.   MC Safety
Congrats, Jon. I'll miss this place. The Griddle and DT especially. Los Angeles is counting on you, Jon. See you guys at the new place.
2009-02-03 13:13:04
157.   gibsonhobbs88
Congratulations Jon! I'm sorry I've been out of touch but my wife and I both got hit with bad economic news-both are technically laid off - though I am still at my job till the end of February. My wife was laid off from Warner Brothers last week though she does have severance till April. I will ssupport you on the new site Jon, but for now I will just pop in and read when I need an escape from the depressing news of the day while looking for my next place of employment. I have enjoyed this site for years for all the Fans of the Boys in Blue! Again, Congratulations Jon! I'm glad somebody is getting some good news around these parts, Gee wiz!!
2009-02-03 13:16:50
158.   bhsportsguy
157 Good luck to both of you on your job searches.
2009-02-03 13:57:13
159.   Gilberto Reyes
Jon - Thanks for your work with Dodger Thoughts. I discovered it about 2 years ago and have been hooked ever since. Best of luck with the Times and I look forward to reading your thoughts over there. But something tells me that I will sometimes miss the old Baseball Toaster days and this format.

Also, a big thanks to all the regulars who have contributed here to make the site what it was. Sincerely, Gilberto.

2009-02-03 14:23:50
160.   Jon Weisman
157 - I'm really sorry to hear your bad news. I'm hoping things turn around soon!
2009-02-03 17:06:45
161.   lukemccain
Congratulations. I always like to hear when the little guy does something that draws the attention and money of a big company. Unfortunately, there is always a big price to pay for the users. Winamp was a better program before AOL bought it and starting putting in all kinds of commercial features.
While I read your blogs, the big feature of this site for me has been the unfettered ability of posters to comment in a timely fashion. The new format will be totally worthless for those of us who like to watch the game on TV with a laptop computer and comment of the plays in near real time.
So while this will enhance your writing career, it puts a major damper on the ability of posters to talk to each other.
2009-02-03 19:22:59
162.   Luis Chavez
Congratulations Jon. I've been a lurker since around 2004, so I feel like I know all the regulars (lol). It has been a great ride and I hope it continues to be a great Dodgers community at your new home. I was sad to see the news, but I'm looking forward to the new blog and perhaps I will even start posting on a regular basis. Thanks for the good times at the Toaster!
2009-02-03 20:01:20
163.   FirstMohican
Wow, incredible. Congratulations!
2009-02-03 20:31:47
164.   the big grabowski
Congratulations Jon! That is fantastic news for you.

I am still sad to see DT at the Toaster end. It won't ever be quite the same. Of course I am excited for a whole lot more people to find dodger thoughts.

I really hope the regulars stick around, and the new place doesn't end up like the saying (and same of my favorite hole-in-the-wall bars), "No one goes there anymore, it's too crowded."

2009-02-03 20:32:14
165.   the big grabowski
Also, I'm going to miss the brackets [ ] to respond to comments. It was so easy!
2009-02-04 06:06:03
166.   Gen3Blue
Congrats and goodbye to a great place.
2009-02-04 06:06:42
167.   Gen3Blue
The ultimate LATed!
2009-02-04 07:40:39
168.   Jim Hitchcock
So, the tension mounts...

Who will post the last comment on DT Toaster version?

Who will win the free prizes: a Ghame Over T shirt (our choice of color), or a nifty pocket abacus (sure to impress and baffle your friends)...?

Whatever. We can say we knew Jon back when :)

2009-02-04 08:32:49
169.   TellMeTheScoreRickMonday
Jon,

Congratulations to a real pro, and good luck erecting the new community over at the LAT. I'll be moving over with the rest of the DTers. But it is sad to see the Toaster go.

Before someone turns out the lights in this bar, could I get a quick one-sentence summary of the whole Kuo pronunciation debate? I forget where we ended up.

Mazel tov, Jon!

2009-02-04 10:10:49
170.   gibsonhobbs88
158 &160, Thank you both for your kind thoughts! See the rest of you over on
the LAT Dodger Thoughts! So long
Toaster, you've been great! Just like
freshly toasted Cinnamon raisin toast in the morning!, I'll miss the freedom
to discuss more than Dodger baseball.
2009-02-04 13:03:00
171.   BlueCrew Bruin
Well, I suppose this is it. After reading Ken's magnificent post, and with a tear in my eye, I shall now remove Baseball Toaster from my favorites folder.

{sniff}

2009-02-04 23:19:39
172.   Gilberto Reyes
After checking out the new LA Times blog for the past 2 days, I am going to go out on a limb and say that I will miss this old site. It's like saying goodbye to an friend. You just sense that things will never quite be the same again.
2009-02-05 11:18:23
173.   bhsportsguy
172 I think everyone will miss the Toaster set-up and it probably won't be the same but I hope everyone gives it a chance.
2009-02-05 17:22:17
174.   Fallout
Will this mean a cut in pay? :O
2009-02-05 20:09:55
175.   Tripon
Goodbye baseball toaster and farewell.
2009-02-07 14:23:44
176.   KT USN
on to bigger and better thing
2009-02-08 18:38:33
177.   Brent Knapp
I miss DT.
2009-02-09 06:35:25
178.   Jon Weisman
What are you missing?

Comment status: comments have been closed. Baseball Toaster is now out of business.